The base version of Mario Kart 8 contains 32 tracks. They are arranged into eight cups, with four courses in each cup.
The 32-course lineup is split evenly between 16 new Nitro courses and 16 returning Retro courses. New highlights include Mario Kart Stadium, Mount Wario, Sunshine Airport, and Rainbow Road, while returning favorites include N64 Rainbow Road, 3DS DK Jungle, and Wii Moo Moo Meadows.
The number is easy to confuse with the game's expanded editions. Mario Kart 8 originally launched on Wii U with 32 tracks, then received 16 additional courses through two paid DLC packs. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes those DLC courses from the start, and its later Booster Course Pass added 48 more tracks. Those larger totals belong to expanded versions, not the original base game.